Hitch for machines and wagons



oct. 1:1I 1925. 1,557,456

C. L. HASELTINE HITCH FOR MACHINES AND WAG'ONS1 Filed Dec. 2l, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1- INVENTOR.'

C. L. HASELTINE HITCH FOR MACHINES AND WAGONS oct. 13, 1925.

Filed Dec. 21. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR:

A TTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 13, 1925,.

IJNITED- STATES l1,551,456 PATENT. OFFICE.

cmrronn L. or om cam rowNsmr, xrrcnani. COUNTY, man.

' miren ron. ncnrmzs mn wacom.

appunti me :number s1, im. semi 1ro. seam.

To all 'wVmm it may concern.

lie it known that I CLIFFORD L. H Asmf TINE, a citizen of the llnited States, resIdIn in (.arr Creek Township, in the county o Mitchell and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Hitch for Machines and Wagons, of which the following is a specI- fic-ation, reference being had .to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figg ure-s of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to an apparatus commonly known as a hitch and desI ed to be used for pulling machinesor vehicles by means of a tractor and to be guided relatively to the path of the tractor, .the invention having reference more particularly to a hitch of the above-mentioned character ably being provided with a plura that is adapted to be used for drawing two machines or vehicles vside by side either by means of a tractor or by one of the two machines or vehicles, especially when it is desired that one harvester-and-thresher shall pull another harvester-and-thresher and an attending wagon'.

An'object of the invention is to rovide a hitch which shall be so constructs as to be adapted for easily steering or harvesting machines, mowing mac es or vehicles when drawn by a tractor and in echelon arrangement, particularly so as to Ordinar` ily be under control of one attendant for all the machines or vehicles.-

Another object is to provide a hitch ofthe above-mentioned character which shall be adapted for pulling and steering a harvesting machine and also a wagon to receive grain or produce from the machine, which hitch shall have steering apparatus of such character as to be adapted to remain set after having been operated and adjusted.

Another object is to provide an improved steering hitch which shall be strong and reliable in operation, while being of simple construction and not costly to manufacture, and which shall be durable and economical In use.

With the above-mentioned and other objects in view, the invention consists in a hitch provided with improved steering mechanism adapted to be readily adjusted and to be maintained in adjusted position until manually re-adjusted, the hitch refer 'ty o draft devices to which. a plurality of machines or vehicles may be connected to vbe drawn in unison onewith another; and, the

Vinvention consists also further in the novel and arrangev parts and in the combinations ments of partsv as hereinafter particularly describedand further defined in the claims appended hereto. I

Referring to the drawings,-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showin the relative arrangement of two harvesting machines and a tractor, as when in operation, and wa ons attending the machines, each machine an a wagon being drawn by a hitch' constructed substantially in accordance with the invention, parts of the hitch being omitted, the view beine` intendedto illustrate the general purpose of the invention rather thanl the specific construction thereof; Fig.- 2 is a side elevation of the hitch indicated as being connected with a tractor and aharvester; Fig. .3 is a fragmentar section approximate y on an enlarged scale; Fig. 4 is a fragmen-4 tary top plan of the forward portions of the hitch showing particularly Athe means for pulling a wagon thereby; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on the line Fig. 6 1s a fragmentary top plan, artially in perspective and showing particularly the steering a paratus of thehitch, on an enlarged sca e; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional detail of the hitch onl an enlarged scale; Fig. 8 is` a fragmentary.y section approximately on the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 6 on an enlarged scale; Fig. 9'is a top plan of the steering wheel keyed to a steering shaft of the apparatus; Fi 10 is a fragmentary section on the line -X in Fig. 6

on the line III II in Fig. 2'

V--V in Fig. 4;l

on an enlarged scale; and, Fig. 11 is a fragvprovided with a stub pole or tongue lfor steering it and being provided at one side with 'a discharge pipe 5 arranged to conduct threshed grain to an accompanying wagon 6 having a conventional iding tongue r7, the machine being provi ed 4with a suitable on an enlar edl 4 a discharge pipe 5 to conduct grain to an attending wagon 6 having a tongue 7", the machine being provided with a draft device 8 so that it may draw still another' machine, and adapting the machine to be drawn directly by the tractor and to draw a second machine. ()ne harvester is provided on its front portions with an operators seat 9, the other machine having a similar seat 9.

While the description refers to machines for harvesting gram as illustrating one of the purposes of the hitch, it will be apparent that the hitch may be applied to other machines, such as potato harvesters.

A practical embodiment of the invention comprises a draw-bar 10 which preferabl is straight and may be either solid or ho low, being the main portion of the hitch apparatus and provided on its normal for? ward end with a suitable coupler or draft device 11 adapted to be connected to the draft device 2 on the tractor, preferably byme'ans of a pivotal coupling in 12; the opposite end of the draw-bar eing provided With a coupler or draft device 13 provided with a coupling pin 14 whereby to pivotally connect the draw-bar to a suitable lug 15 on the machine 3 or trailing machine 3', the coupler device 11 being of such design as to enable it to be connected to the draft device 8 of a leading machine. The hitch apparatus preferably includes a' side arm or branch whereby to draw a wagon along with the harvester machine, and to this end the draw-bar 10 or main portion of the hitch is provided with a. base collar 16 in proximity to the forward coupler device 11 and another collar 17 at a suitable distance from the forward collar, the arm comprising two members 18 and 19 secured to the collars respectively and extending convergently each to the other. A draft device 20 is secured to the arm members adjacent to their ends and is adapted to have a wagon tongue 7 connected thereto,,preferably by means of a coupling pin 21. The arm is provided with a caster to support it, an arm member 22 preferably being arranged transversely upon the members 18 and 19 and secured thereto, the member 22 extending forwardly beyond the member 18, the caster having a spindle 23 rotatably arranged in the arm member 22 and having a fork24 connected thereto, a wheel 25 being arranged in the fork and connected thereto by means of a suitable axle 26.

The hitch apparatus preferably includes a complete steering apparatus, and to this end the draw-bar has a base 27 fixed thereon, preferably being bolted or riveted in place and further secured by means of a U-bolt 28 and nuts 29. The base 27 has a frame arm 30 rigidly fixed thereon that extends laterally at a suitable distance rearward of the arm member 19. A gear case 31 is rovided which has a bracket 32 that is rigidly (mnnected to the arm 30, the gear case rotatably sup orting a portion of a steering shaft 33 w ich is supported also by an arm 34 on a collar 35 secured on the draw-bar 10. A steering arm 36 is keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 33 is arranged at an inclination relatively to the draw-bar, and the arm 36`extends downwardly atan inclination opposite to one side of the draw-bar, being the side from which the arm member 19 extends, and a steering rod 37 is pivoted to the arm 36 Yand extends below the draw-bar and preferably is adjustable as to length, the rod preferably having screw threads 38 thereon that are engaged by a shackle body 39 suitably threaded and having fingers 40 provided with a coupling pin 41 for connection with the tongue or pole 4 of the harvesting machine, the tongue bein in some cases provided with a suitable pivot block or clevis42 yto which the in 41 may be directly connected. A suita le gear wheel 43 is arranged in the gear case 31 and keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 33, and it shaft 33. The' secured thereto, the wheel preferably having a crank handle 50 whereby to ra idly rotate the wheel and the shaft. An a justable steering column is provided which preferably comprises two beams 51 and 52 having a spacer thimble 53 arranged between the middle portions thereof and secured in place by means of a bolt 54, the ends of the beams being drawn together. The beams are inclined above the draw-bar and the lower` portions thereof are suitably connected to ears 55 with which the base 27 is provided. An arm 56 is secured to the upper portions of the beams and it has a lateral member 57 thereon provided'with a guide box 58 in which the shaft 48 is rotatably guided. It being preferable to provide the steering shaft with the universal coupling 47, the steering column preferably is connected to the ears 55 by means of a pivot 59, to permit the steering wheel 49 by meansv 65 the mac ine.

vconnected to the tractor.

nected to the boss 61 by 6 5. The bar 62 has pin'holes 66 therein in one of which is' placed a pin 67 that ex'- tends through the beams 51 and 52, permib ting angular adjustment ofthe steeringcolumn on its. pivot 59 which allowsth'e arm 56 to take a proper sition.

In practical use t e coupler device 11 is and the coupler device 13 is connected to the machine reuired (to b`e operated in the eld, the ma-v c ine being set as is customarylto permit the machine to cut the standinur grain while-the tractor runs on the groundwhere the grain has previously been cut therefrom. A wagon tongue isr connected to the draft device and permits the wagon 'to be pulled `along under the end of the dischar e pipe e with which the machine is provide T steering wheel 49 is operated `so as to adjust the arm 36 which guides the tongue orpole 4, re-adjustments being. made when necessary to lnsure proper cutting of the grain, as the tractor ma ly guide the harvester machine. When it is desired tohiteh a second harvester to the first one, it is arranged' approximately as one o the indicated in Fig. 1 and drawn by hitch apparatus, the steering mechanism of which may be properly set and left to guide the second machine and the wagon, the

worm 44 preventing the gear 43 from acci-'v dentally turning and changing the adjustment of the arm. 36, so that one'attendant under `ordinary circumstances on the leadi ing machine need only steer that machine, the trailer following properly. vWhile the v carrying wheel and its frame supports and guides the arm to which 1t is connected it prevents the draw-bar from turning overv when the'steering thrusts are limparted to the arm 36. In case the steering wheel 49 lowered or raised by shifting the brace bar 62.

lis not in convenient position for ,the attendant on the seat 9 it may be readily the pin l67 in What I claim as new is:

1. A unitary hitch apparatus including a. straight draw-bar and a lateral draft arm rigidlysecured to the draw-bar, the opplclisite ends of the drawbar and the end o arm having each a draft device, the. end of the arm being provided .with a device to 2. A unitaryhitchv apparatus including a draw-bar having a lateral draftarm lrigidly connected thereto, the draw-bar being adapted to draw -a machine, and steering gearing mounted on and carried by the draw-bar and comprising a controlled mov-l able steering arm and a steering-rod pivoted thereto, the rodextending transversely relativel to the draw-bar to variably guide means of a pivot,-

y not always properj support the end independently' of the drawbar.

arm Asecured to the -pivoted to the steer i 3. hitch apparatus' including bar with draft devices on its o posits ends al gear shaft mounted on p ran edto operate below and transversel of t .e draw-bar, and cari-ng connected wit the gear shaft to ro4 te 'it orto hold the shaft against rotation. l

4. A hitch apparatus includinga straight main draw-bar with draft devices onitsb posite ends,a'draftarin secured to one 'si' e of the main drawb`ar and having a draft device on its end, a caster wheel connected with the arm to carryv the alim, a 'gear shaft one side ofthe draw-bar, an arm lsecured to'thegea'r shaft, A a steering rod pivoted toi-the arm andarmounted on said side of the maln drawbar,

a steering arm secured to the gear shaft, a steering rod pivoted to the steering arm and extending transversely below4 the draw-har,-

connected withthe gear shaft and gearing to rotate the shaft or to hold it against rotation.

' 5. A hitch. apparatus including av drawbar having a lateral draft arm,.the arm being rovided with a caster to sup vear siiaft rotatively mounted on t e drawar and havingv a steering arm' secured thereto, a .steering rod pivoted to the steering arm and havingl ashackle thereon, a

steering. column nounted on the draw-bar,`

worm gearing connected with the gear shaft and provided with supporting means, a

steering shaft connected` with the worm gearing and guided by the steering column,

and a steering wheel seured tb the steering.

shaft. c

6. A hitch apparatus including-va draw- 'A bar and draft ldeviceson the opposite ends thereof, a gearY case -having supporting means fixed to the drawLbar, a gear shaft rotatively supported inthe gear case and extending downwardly therefrom, a bracketv and supporting the secured to the .draw-bar lower portion of the gear shaft, a steering gear shaft between the bracket, a steering rod g arm and Ahaving a shackle on its` end, a gear wheel inthe gear case and secured tothe gear shaft, and a worm rotatably gear case and the operatingjshaft,

arm thereon;n arm, al gear supported bythe gear case f '-.lpnmesh with the4 gear wheel and having'an 8. In a hitch apparatus, a drawba`r having a draft device on one side and a steering device projecting beyond the opposite side thereof and exerting lateral thrust tending to rotate the draw-bar, the devices being providedwith counter-balance guiding means to prevent over-tiirning of the drawbar. A

9. Ima hitch apparatus the combination of a draw-bur provided on one side thereof with interlocking gearing having a steering arm yand a steering lrod pivoted tothe arm, a steering column mounted upon the top of the draw-bar and having a lateral guide thereon, and a steering shaft connected with the interlocking gearing and guided. in the lateral guide on one side of the steering column.

10. In a hitch apparatus, the combination with a draw-bar, of adraft arm secured to the draw-bar and extending laterally therefrom, the arm being provided with a draft device and also a caster frame, a wheel mounted in said frame, a steering column mounted upon the draw-bar, power gearing mounted on the draw-bar and having a steering arm, a steering rod connected to the steering arm, and a steering shaft connected with the power gearing and guided by the steering column. l,

11. In a hitch apparatus, the combination lof a draw-bar, a gear case mounted on the draw-bar, power gearing mounted in the gear case and rovided with a-steering arm, a steering ro(` connected to said arm, a shackle udjnstably connected to said rod, a brace pivotally supported on the draw-bar, a steeringV column pivotally supported on the draw-bar and having a guide bracket thereon, the column being connected adjustably to said brace, a steering shaft connected with the power gearing and having a uni vcrsal joint therein, the steering shaft being guided in said guide, and a caster-supported arm connected to the draw-bar ,to draw a wagon. Y

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature on the 14th day of December, 1922.

CLIFFORD L. HASELTINE. 

